10 family friendly things to see and do on the Isle of Wight

Situated just off the coast of Hampshire and easily accessible for anyone wanting a holiday in the UK, the Isle of Wight is a great destination the whole family will enjoy. With a wide range of things to see and do on the island, not forgetting the spectacular beaches, why not make the Isle of Wight one of your go to destinations.

Holiday cottage specialists Blue Chip Holidays has come up with the top 10 family friendly things to explore on the Isle of Wight, so let’s check them out:

V-Dub Island Festival

A must for any car fanatic, V-Dub Island is a great family friendly festival where there is something to do for everyone. Now in its eighth year, V-Dub Island takes place every August and plays host to some of the best VW’s from the UK and Europe. With a range of VW themed activities and three music stages with over 80 bands performing there is bound to be something for everyone.

Shanklin Seafront

Shanklin is a traditional seaside resort with long sandy beaches and a range of seaside amusements and games. Take in some of the spectacular views with a walk along the coast or sample some of the fantastic restaurants and cafes along the promenade in this bustling town. For those who like to try something different visit the Pirates Cove; this a mini theme park right on the seafront has a range of games and rides that will keep everyone amused for hours.

Shanklin Seafront

Adventure Activities Isle of Wight

With activity sites throughout the island, Adventure Activities Isle of Wight is great for those who like a challenge. Whether you want to get out on the open sea on a surfboard, or try your skill at axe throwing Adventure Activities has it covered. With over 30 outdoor activities available and a chance to explore what the Isle of Wight has to offer, Adventure Activities Isle of Wight is a great place to start.

Blackgang Chine Theme Park

Fancy yourself as a bit of a pirate or cowboy? Maybe you want to visit a fairy tale land or explore Dinosaur valleys? If so then Blackgang Chine is the place for you. Famed as being the UK’s oldest amusement park, Blackgang Chine features an array of different worlds to explore including full-size pirate ships, Old West cowboy towns and fairy villages; this really is a great day out for the whole family.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Experience a bygone era, a time when steam was king and everything way big and loud. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway allows you to experience the thrills of these magnificent steam engines relax on the fully restored Victorian and Edwardian carriages while taking in the impressive country and costal views that the Isle of Wight has to offer.

Passengers can hop on and off at any of the stops along the way and savour the view of the trains as they pass by.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Amazon World Zoo

Amazon World Zoo is an exotic animal attraction which allows visitors to experience jungle rainforests featuring an array of exotic and interesting birds, crocodiles and penguins.

The experienced tour guides will guide you through the exhibit, teaching visitors about the animals and the conservation efforts to keep their natural habitats safe for the future.

Carisbrooke Castle

Carisbrooke Castle has been a strategic battle site for over 1,000 years from Saxon times. Extensively remodelled during the Middle Ages, this impressive castle is famous for imprisoning King Charles I after the English Civil War.

The castle and grounds provide a great day out for history enthusiasts and features an array of exhibitions, virtual tours and historical artefacts to see. The grounds of Carisbrooke Castle also boast spectacular views of the island.

Carisbrooke Castle

Dinosaur Isle

Another great destination for history lovers is Dinosaur Isle. This remarkable attraction hosts a great collection of dinosaur fossils, life size dinosaur sculptures so you can see the sheer size of these majestic beasts and a range of interactive activities. Visitors can discover dinosaur skeletons which are over 120 million years old and also see archaeological digs as they happen.

Robin Hill Country Park

Set in 88 acres of beautiful Isle of Wight countryside, Robin Hill is the perfect family day out. The site has a range of day and night experiences for guests to savour and is great for those looking for outdoor fun and adventure.

With a fantastic array of rides, walks and adventures to experience throughout the park, including the Big Green tractor train, 4D motion cinema and falconry displays, Robin Hill has something for everyone.

Robin Hill Country Park

The Harbour Kitchen, Cowes

Based in Cowes on the northern tip of the Island, the Harbour Kitchen serves an enticing range of gourmet burgers, sides and puddings that’ll really get the taste buds jumping. All burgers come from locally produced meat and you can have pretty much every kind of topping available, so why not try something new?